Michael Ferris
Ceist:45 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position in relation to the campaign for the retention of duty free sales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9133/99]
Written Answers. - Duty Free Sales.
At ECOFIN on 15 March 1999, the presidency proposed a two and a half year extension for the retention of duty free facilities. The proposal failed to obtain unanimous support however and no clear position was taken. It was then hoped that the heads of State meeting in Berlin last week would provide an opportunity for further discussion. However, due to the very full agenda of the Council, it was not possible to deal with it there.
Germany, as the current president of the European Union, remains the key to obtaining any concession at this late stage. My colleagues in Government and I, will, of course, continue to support the EU Presidency in its call for a limited extension to the duty free regime, because we believe that this is the correct position to take.